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Archive for December, 2009

Christmas Cocktail: The Gingersnap Martini

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

Ok, ok… so it’s not actually a martini because there’s far too many ingredients in it to make it a classic, but it is a perfect cocktail for Christmas. My grandmother always baked a pile of gingersnap cookies for the holidays (along with every other Christmas-oriented cookie known to man) so this is a great cocktail to add to the holiday tradition as an adult, whether I’m actually eating a cookie along with it or not.

Gingersnap Cookies

The Gingersnap Martini

1 oz pear-flavored vodka
½ oz amaretto
½ oz simple syrup
½ oz molasses
2¼ slices of fresh ginger
Pinch of cinnamon
Pinch of clove
Pinch of allspice
Crystallized ginger or sugar, for garnish

In a cocktail shaker, put your fresh ginger slices, molasses, simple syrup and spices. Muddle like your life depends on it. Fill halfway with ice and add your pear-flavored vodka and amaretto. Shake well and strain into your cocktail glass, rimmed with crystal ginger or sugar. Enjoy!

TAGS [ COCKTAIL RECIPES | CHRISTMAS COCKTAILS | GINGERSNAP COCKTAIL | GINGER SNAP MARTINI ]

A Call for More Gluten-Free Beer

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

Take a moment to think about how much life would suck if you couldn’t drink beer. I’m not talking about a nagging wife who gives you a hard time about it or sitting in the "family section" at your favorite sporting event… I’m talking about your body straight up rejecting it to the point that the physical reaction makes you sick.

Personally, I can’t think of anything more awful.

A close friend of mine suffers from Celiac Disease, an inherited autoimmune disease that makes it impossible for him to enjoy foods made with gluten and other proteins found in wheat, barley, rye and other grains.

Beer is entirely grain-based, making it impossible for my friend (and approximately 3 million others suffering from the condition) to drink it without becoming ill and causing serious damage to his small intestine. He avoids it all together, which to me is very sad. I decided to do some research on his behalf.

Anhauser-Busch Red Bridge BeerIt was no surprise to me that there are gluten-free beers available. Where there’s an opportunity to make profit – corporate America will find a way to capitalize. While gluten-free beers are not exactly mainstream (yet), they are out there. In 2006, Anheuser-Busch launched their gluten-free beer Red Bridge. By 2008, the Great American Beer Festival had a category dedicated to gluten-free brews and 10 beers were entered. Red Bridge won the gold, a brew called New Grist from Lakefront Brewery took the silver and Chinquapin Butte Golden from Deschutes Brewery took the bronze.

Most of these beers are brewed using sorghum, a cereal grass commonly used for brewing in African countries. During the Great Depression, sorghum syrup was used in place of the far more expensive maple syrup so it’s not surprising that it brews a sweeter tasting beer. While it’s been noted that it’s not exactly the same, it is still beer. I’d imagine that many people living with Celiac (including my friend) would appreciate the ability to enjoy a cold one that their body can digest. That being said, I urge any brewers reading this to consider trying their hand at gluten-free beer. You never know what you might come up with and there are millions of thirsty Americans looking for more options!

TAGS [ GLUTEN-FREE BEER | CELIAC DISEASE ]

Holiday Traditions

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

Citrus JuicerThe holiday season calls for a special amount of preparation, tradition and a little something extra to keep you feeling alive and in the proper mood. I like to spice up my breakfast a bit during this time of year with something just a bit out of the ordinary raisin bran or granola bar and then dash out the door for work routine. This citrus juicer is perfect for that something extra special in the morning.

This evokes memories of getting a case of oranges in the mail from my grandmother in Florida. She would send us the oranges for Christmas and put in a note telling us that she would be back to see us in the spring when the robins came. It was a great way to know that the cold and dark winter was about half way over and that we would see her soon. We would eat tons of oranges and make orange juice with our juicer at home until we couldn’t stand the juicy goodness of another orange!!! That’s what the season is about; the traditions, the memories and the love of family and friends.

TAGS [ CITRUS JUICER | ORANGE JUICER | JUICERS ]

Beer Review: Great Lakes Christmas Ale

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

As Deron said in his most recent post, ’tis the season for Winter Warmer styles. This past weekend I enjoyed my first Great Lakes Christmas Ale at Staples (the bar, not the office supply).

Great Lakes Christmas AleUnlike some Christmas ales I’ve had, this one was not over-spiced. For example, although tasty in its own right, the Anchor Special Ale for 2009 has more pine essence than that of beer. It was enjoyable, and most definitely reminded me of the holiday season, but it’s not one I could drink a ton of.

Great Lakes Christmas Ale, on the other hand, had a very heavy and spice-laiden nose (which I’ll admit, made me skeptical) but its taste was far from overwhelming. It poured a ruby brown, with a head that dissipated extremely quickly, as you can see from my photo (please disregard the mini pilsner glass here – I don’t know what the bartender was thinking).

The ginger and nutmeg that I smelled before sipping was most definitely present in the taste, but again, not overwhelming at all. Also swirling around was honey and a light touch of cinnamon. Although there’s a kick of hops, the brew is moreso malty, as a Winter Warmer should be, giving it a nice balance. Its medium mouthfeel made it easy to drink without feeling too heavy, even at 7.5% ABV. I would definitely enjoy GL’s Christmas Ale again.

TAGS [ GREAT LAKES BREWERY | GREAT LAKES CHRISTMAS ALE | CHRISTMAS ALES | WINTER WARMERS | BEER REVIEW ]

Terminator 5: Rise of the Beer Pong Playing Machines

Monday, December 14th, 2009

We have featured amazing trick beer pong shots in our blog before, but those shots were made by mere humans. In our ever faster march to the world being dominated by machines in a Terminator/Matrix movie-like future, the machines have begun their take over and it starts with beer pong

I am not sure even John Connor could beat this robot…at beer pong. Who knew this is how the end would begin! I guess it’s better than a fiery nuclear holocaust.

And here, a less advanced robot for your beirut-playing pleasure:

TAGS [ BEIRUT ROBOT | BEER PONG ROBOT | BEER PONG VIDEOS | BEIRUT VIDEOS ]

Are YOU the 2010 Beerdrinker of the Year?

Friday, December 11th, 2009

Get your beer resume up to date! Wynkoop Brewing Company in Denver, Colorado is embarking on their 14th annual search to find America’s ultimate beer lover. They’re running the contest to honor the most passionate and knowledgeable beer-minded men and women in the United States and they’ll reward the winner with free beer for life at Wynkoop and $250 of beer at their local brewpub or bar. The winner also gets the sweet title of 2010 Beerdrinker of the Year, their name is engraved on a trophy at the brewery and they’ll be outfitted with apparel proclaiming their achievement.

Beerdrinker of the Year Awards

Perhaps the coolest part of winning though, is their chance to brew a special beer with Wynkoop head brewer Andy Brown. That beer will be served at the 2010 Beerdrinker of the Year National Finals on February 27, 2010.

Resumes for the 2010 Beerdrinker search must include each entrant’s beer philosophy, and details on their passion for beer. Throw in some 2009 beer experiences as well. You’ll want to play up the entrant’s understanding of beer, its history and its impact on civilization, and perhaps most importantly, how the entrant educates others on the joys of great beer.

Resumes must be sent by email only to beerdrinker@wynkoop.com, and received by Wynkoop by no later than December 31, 2009. Each entrant will receive an email confirmation that their resume was received.

For complete details entrants should visit www.wynkoop.com.

Resumes are reviewed by the nation’s beer experts, beer journalists and previous Beerdrinker winners. The top three entrants are flown to Wynkoop Brewing Company (at Wynkoop’s expense) for the Beerdrinker of the Year National Finals on February 27, 2010.

At the finals, a panel of wigged & robed judges (comprised of the nation’s best beer minds and previous Beerdrinker winners) grills the finalists and picks the 2009 winner. The event is open to the public and starts at 2 PM.

TAGS [ WYNKOOP | WYNKOOP BREWERY | BEER DRINKER OF THE YEAR | BEER DRINKING AWARDS | BEER NEWS ]

Gift Ideas For Your Inner Slacker

Thursday, December 10th, 2009

I know we’re quickly approaching Christmastime because everyone here at KegWorks has been zipping around like steroid-pumped hummingbirds dosing on high octane caffeine and many other substances. (That’s probably due to what we’ve been adding to our coffee this morning). I’d take pictures to prove how fast things are moving, but frankly, we’d just look like blurs, or someone might be tempted to smack the camera out of my hand and yell, "Get your lazy butt to work, Ed!" I’m kidding. They wouldn’t use butt.

It occurs to me that we’re not the only ones that are busy. You are too. I mean, who else could be keeping us so motivated and sprinting all over the place to clear our shipment times?

If you’re anything like me – which, less face it, you’re not – you’ve probably got that one last person on your list and then you can kick back, toss back a few, and watch everyone else self-destruct over last minute shopping. No? Well, if that’s the case, then here are some of my personal favs that I’d like to offer as last minute gift, stocking stuffer, or White Elephant Party ideas.

Tavern PuzzlesTAVERN PUZZLES

Sold individually or as a set, these wrought iron, heavy-weight bad boys will keep any designated driver or intellectual drunk busy for hours when you’re not making them piss themselves with your drunken shenanigans. These probably also double as a great addition to any serious bar brawl… but you didn’t hear that from me. Ahem.

INSTANT BEER STEIN CAN GRIP HANDLE

For those too wussy to hold their can in their bare hand – or those tailgating outside and are worried about a little frostbite this winter. These easier-than-hell-to-use handles snap into place faster than you can say "beer me".

Leg Lamp LightsA CHRISTMAS STORY LEG LAMP LIGHT STRAND

Okay, so maybe you won’t get an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle under your tree, but you can certainly claim your "major award" now while supplies of these sumptuous strands still last!

WINE TASTING PARTY KIT

Because, let’s face it, they don’t know squat about wine.

Cocktail LampAPPLE MARTINI COCKTAIL PARTY LAMP

Perfect for the person you don’t really know, don’t want to know, or the person you don’t want to spend a lot on. Don’t show up to your office White Elephant Party without this as a gift! (Tell me you wouldn’t find a place to park this over-sized cocktail in your home, apartment, or basement bar.) Time to get lit!

BONNY BOY MANNEKEN PIS LIQUOR DISPENSER

This is the Rolls Royce of low brow liquor dispensing. Modeled after some famous fountain somewhere in Europe (like you really care), this battery-operated little pisser will definitely get people buzzing at your next party. Makes a better White Elephant Party Gift than the Cocktail Lamp… all you need is a few dollars more.

Mr. Beer Premium KitMR. BEER HOMEBREW BEER MAKING KIT (PREMIUM EDITION)

Everything they’ll need to make their own beer – without the attitude of an elitist, micro-brewing snob. Perfect for anyone with time and patience who is motivated to get themselves a good buzz.

TAGS [ BEER GIFTS | COCKTAIL GIFTS | HOMEBREW GIFTS | LIQUOR GIFTS ]

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